LALGANJ(BIHAR): In the run-up to the Bihar state Assembly elections, a fascinating battle is unfolding in Lalganj, which is distant just 39 kilometres from the state capital of Patna. Here, RJD’s Shivani Shukla—a 28-year-old law graduate from the University of Leeds, UK—is taking on a 57-year-old commerce graduate and BJP MLA, Sanjay Kumar Singh.
The contest between Shivani Shukla and Singh has caught the public imagination. While she affectionately calls him ‘Chacha’, he refers to her as ‘Bhatiji’, though neither leaves a stone unturned in their bid to win the seat.
Lalganj’s electoral battle has turned into a contest that locals describe as one between Parashuram Vanshi-RJD candidate, being supported by Yaduvanshi, and Raghuvanshi- BJP candidate lineages.Shivani, daughter of the jailed former strongman Vijay Kumar Shukla, alias Munna Shukla, is contesting as one of the RJD’s young female candidates.
Hailed by her supporters as the “daughter” of Lalganj, and descendant of Parashuram, Shivani hails from the influential Bhumihar community. Her campaign has already drawn the support of young voters across caste lines, including among Yadavs.
Her rival, Singh, a Rajput and called a Raghuvanshi, seeks votes by stressing his experience and continuity. His recently remark “She is still a kid in politics,” has intensified the battle between both the party supporters.
“I have not brought the ticket from RJD, it’s the people of Lalganj who have brought it, and they are contesting. I am just their representative,” Shivani Shukla told a cheering crowd.
